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York mother disputes events leading up to child's death

A York woman was charged recently with endangering the welfare of children after her 2-year-old was beaten to death while in someone else's care.

By KATE HARMON Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
08/12/2012 05:50:39 PM EDT

Jaques Twinn (SUBMITTED)

York, PA -

A York woman who left her 2-year-old son in the care of a man accused of killing him disputes some of the events police cited in charging her recently with endangering the welfare of her children.

York City Police allege Jaques Twinn died Nov. 7 after being beaten to death by Aric Shayne Woodard, 39. Last week, police charged Jaques' mother, Hayley Amanda Twinn with two counts of endangering the welfare of her children, for leaving them in Woodard's care.

Police say Twinn refused to put her kids in childcare, and left them with Woodard knowing Jaques had been injured twice before in his care.

Twinn said Saturday that Woodard was a family friend who once or twice a week would watch Jaques and his now 2-year-old sister for a few hours.

Aric Shayne Woodard (SUBMITTED)

Twice, Jaques came home with bruises, and Twinn said Woodard told her one was the result of him falling at the park, the other was when he slipped in the bathroom. Police noted Jaques suffered two injuries -- to his face and head -- while in Woodard's care.

"Everyone's saying I knew," Twinn said. "Nothing ever showed as though it was a sign."

York City Police Lt. Tim Utley couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

Twinn left her kids with Woodard on Nov. 6 because she was having medical issues. She said it was the only time the kids stayed with him overnight.

When she returned home after going to the doctor, her roommate told her Jaques had drowned.

An autopsy would later reveal he was beaten to death.

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According to charging documents, Twinn knew that Woodard was squatting in what was essentially an abandoned house that was owned by his mother. Detective Alan Clarkson wrote in the affidavit that she had been in the house numerous times and knew it was in poor condition, was dirty, had no food and "devoid of any child-appropriate furniture."

But Twinn said there was food, because she got her food stamps a few days before.

Police also said Twinn refused "quality childcare," and that the woman who was caring for Jaques prior to October, came by the house the day of Jaques' death to check on him.

They said she was worried about the kids since they were pulled out of her care, and she wanted to ask Twinn about the injuries she saw on Jaques.

Twinn said the woman never asked about bruises, and that she pulled them out because fees related to childcare were too expensive.

"I had to pay rent," she said. "Make sure the kids had food, shoes."

Police also allege that Jaques failed to make it to scheduled doctor appointments for his eczema.

Twinn said he never missed appointments, and that before his death, his skin condition was under control.

"I'm 20 years old," Twinn said. "I'm trying to do everything by myself."

Her mother took Jaques' sister in voluntarily, Twinn said, and she's been visiting often. After charges were filed, Twinn said, her mother was given custody.

"All I was trying to do was get better so I could take care of my kids," she said.

Police said Woodard believed he was in a relationship with Twinn, but she said he was a family friend who used to date her sister. Her sister lived with him for seven months and he often cared for her kids without incident, she said.

Ever since Jaques' death, Twinn said it's hard to concentrate. She's used to being with both kids 24-7.

Every time it's brought up in the news -- her recent charges, or the district attorney's office opting to seek the death penalty against Woodard -- people stare at her on the street and yell at her.

"It's like it's happening all over," she said. "I can't handle it no more. I just want my son to rest in peace."

Speaking through tears, Twinn said her son was the "greatest little boy ever."

He loved dancing, dressing himself -- even if he put his clothes on backward -- and he said hi to everyone they passed on the sidewalk when they'd walk somewhere.

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